"What the...hell?"

"Should we retreat?!"

"No...you guys can fall back. I'll keep the charge!", the rebel leader stepped forward.

"But leader-"

"That's an order! Go!"

"This can't be...I-I don't think I can stop it!", Ikarisa looked to the hailing missiles.

Lass snapped out. "No wait! Yuno! I've got an idea!"

In an instant, a plan thought out by Lass, rapidly flew inside Yuno's mind, him understanding everything in the process.

"Hah. So this is how this bond between champion and guardian works...surprised he figured something like this before me. Alright, go for it!"

"Anya! On me!"

"I'm with you, big guy!"

Yuno tossed a grenade belt at Lass. "Here!"

"What do you think you're doing Senpai?!"

Lass grabbed the belt. "It's ok! Anya! Gimme a lift!", he said as he activated and buried the belt underneath a riot shield.

Anya swiftly lifted Lass on her shoulders. "I see where this is going...I love it!", she wagged her tail.

"Hang on tight! Obsulyte grenades are way more dangerous than normal ones!"

Anya looked at lass with a smug. "Tell me something I didn't know! 3...2...1..."

The moment her countdown ended, the entire belt of grenades blasted off, pushing the shield upwards and sending both Anya and Lass into the air at high speeds, leaving a crater to the ground.

"This is so epic!", Anya yelled.

"Alright! Get ready to throw!"

Yuno screamed at Ikarisa. "My goddess! Shield her from the fall!"

Ikarisa created a cushion like item to lessen the force of the fall. "Alright! Please work...and be safe..."

Anya grabbed Lass. "This is the end of my flight."

"Shoot!"

"Heya!", with all her Wolven strength, Anya threw Lass towards the missiles. "See ya later big guy!", she saluted.

Thanks to Ikarisa's quick thinking, Anya's fall was as if she weighted no less than a feather...

"Thanks, Risa!"

"Be careful Lass..."

"Hah.", Yuno scoffed. "I think he's got it."

Anya nodded at Yuno and looked up. "I'm with you on that one! Look!"

"This is where you stop!", Lass summoned an arsenal of weapons from his powers.

In a series of bright, red lighting, flashes, Lass was quick to dispose of the oncoming missiles, as they lit the smog sky on fire and making them look like nothing more than mere oversized fireworks. The force of the blast, violently launched him downwards in the middle of the plaza, where he himself was surprised to see that the force of said impact, had done merely nothing to his robust body.

"Hah...not bad. But I'm still lacking.", Lass groaned.

"Epic!", Anya put her hand around Lass's neck. "This life's never uneventful is it?!", she laughed.

"Not bad at all. Your abilities are as remarkable as those of the gods.", Yuno gave Lass his sword back. "You should learn to call Excelsior like me sometime."

"That was so incredibly dangerous! What where you thinking?!"

"Look who's talking. Touchè Risa.", Lass scoffed. "I'm fine. Besides I can tell...this is just the beginning."

And as they all gazed to the opposing side, all they could see was the enemy troops scurrying and scrambling towards their path of defeat. Among their celebrations the Rebel Leader approached them, kindly eager to thank them all...

"Thanks for the help, brave heroes! My name's Gaz the leader of the rebels of Delpha! The way you dealt with everything...I saw every bit! Simply remarkable! Would you be interested into joining our ranks to help us get our city back?!"

"No, not really. We're in a hurry but we thought you could use some help and we attacked. That being said, even for an army, where it not for their last resort missiles they're very...", Lass said.

Yuno cut in. "Absolutely, one hundred percent pathetic."

"Weak for an army, is what I would try to say."

"You're not wrong there, but what did you expect? That madman Kagh started recruiting his supporters like crazy so there's shortage in equipment and overall supplies for them. In addition the horrible conditions they now live under and the constant executions...but still. If not for the morale, they win by sheer numbers."

"Ok, ok. But since we helped ya could you also give us some info?", Anya asked.

"Sure! Anything you want!"

"We're looking for some special idol...could you tell us where she could be?", Ikarisa asked.

“Ah, yes Terna. Our men could use her right now...her soothing voice and powerful enchanting songs could boost our moral a lot. You know, it's hard seeing your brothers in arms and your family dying in front of you...her songs would at least be a nice escape for everyone."

"War never changes does it?", Lass said.

"Woah there war veteran, where did that come from?", Yuno glared at Lass.

"I don't...I don't know. But what I can tell is that singing would at least somewhat help the situation. It's the way to go by and escape reality when it comes this..."

"I'm sorry but I don't really know where she could be. However I can give you this. My men seemed to sleep a lot better these past few nights...they said something about a soothing good night song or something like that."

"That's it! Could you take us where your soldiers sleep?!", Ikarisa excitedly said.

"For sure! Follow me!"

Anya stepped back. "I'll be staying here a bit! Never know what treasures may hide in the wreckages of the enemy supplies."

"Ah, of course you'd say that...just be careful alright mutt?"

"Thank you so much for caring about me Lass-darling.", Anya made a kissy face to Lass.

Lass looked at Gaz. "Hey can I have your gun for a bit?"

"I'll have to refuse on that...for now."

"Count yourself lucky.", Lass menacingly said to Anya.

Anya chuckled back at him. "It's fine! I'll join with ya later. Have fun!"

With that they followed Gaz as he led them to the soldier grounds. It all mostly seemed normal. For a place that was set up in the middle of the street.

"That's an odd location for such place...", Ikarisa said as she looked around

"Positioning is everything! The entire camp moves with the rebellion so we set everything up where we can.", Gaz happily said.

"Nothing out of the ordinary. For a makeshift civil rebellion camp that is. But...the entire place seems fine and pretty shut in. Don't see where soft melodic noises could come in.", Lass struck his thinking pose.

"I'll look around a bit. Lass, you should look at the other side too."

They searched the place around for quite a while but in the end, they couldn't locate anything that could link them to the missing idol.

"Ah nothing over nothing...even Senpai didn't find anything."

"Don't give up yet, there should be something..."

"Well, she can't be too far away from here...if my men heard it, it's a camp in the middle of the street for Makaro's sake. It can't be far."

Ikarisa sprang up. "Wait! Say that again!"

"Huh? She can't be too far away from here?"

"No-no, the last part!

"It's a camp in the middle of the street?"

"That's it!"

"What are you up to exactly Risa?"

"I have lived most of my life in isolation...but when I was watching over you I noted some things down!", Ikarisa checked under the beds. "Cities have streets that connect things such as the electricity and phone lines. And much like I did with Cecilia..."

She then smiled when she found something under one of the beds as she pushed it away.

"Some streets-hnn!", she pushed the bed away. "Have holes that link it to the sewer system!"

"Woah wait a go young goddess!", Gaz rejoiced.

"Wait, what?! You know who she is?!", Lass said.

Ikarisa then whispered. "M-Maybe I...shouldn't have gone so far during the battle. Senpai will be so mad...", she looked away, fidgeting her fingers.

"Risa..."

"Yes?", Ikarisa started to sweat.

Gaz cut in before Lass could scold Ikarisa. "Wait a minute there! The entire Riza might already know, brave hero! Words travel fast...that's why when we learned about her we where all boosted in our moral to get back into the fight, and reclaim Delpha for the sake of the Great Assault against the gods!"

"I don't care anymore....the entire world can know who I am! But let's focus now! Though this is gross, it's very likely that the idol is down there!", Ikarisa looked down at the sewers.

"I despise that idea. But thankfully-", Yuno merged inside Lass. "You'll have to bite the bullet for me this time Lass!"

Lass sighed. "Of course I do...anyway. Let's jump in and get to searching!"

With that they all dove inside the sewer system. It was a rather...awful experience. The smell and the feel of the entire place engulfed them as they wandered further into the dark. And then they heard it.

"Wait, Lass! Did you hear that?!"

"Yea it's a voice...humming perhaps? Whatever, Let's chase it!"

As they got closer and closer the humming started to become even more beautiful as they could make out words as well.

"Ah, what a beautiful tune! Finally something good in the middle of this ongoing hell! My men will be delighted!"

They all kept getting closer and closer the voice kept getting louder and louder and even more beautiful.

"Amongst the end of the sea

Spare us no defeat

Hard road to victory

Take no fear and push through

Let the sun always bleed

And never let go of fates plume

Despite the day of doom"

And then they finally saw her. In full bloom a young lady with blonde hair singing in the middle of a small opening in the sewers.

The young girl noticed everyone. "What?! I-I uh-", she took out a gun. "Get away from me! I won’t allow you to use my voice!"

"No-no you got it all wrong we're not here to hurt you! Terna, it's me! We're here for you!"

"It's alright we're here for you!", Ikarisa shouted.

"Gazzy? But the others...who are you?"

"It's okay. You're Terna, right?"

"Y-Yea...and you're...you're him?"

"I don't know who you're talking about...I'm Lass Reiden. Now relax."

"But you look like...h-him?! No...it's probably another mix up.", Terna lowered her gun.

Ikarisa calmly approached Terna. "Why did you freak out like that? Did you think we where with Kagh?"

"N-No...you just...heard me sing. You could be under the enchanting effect!"

"Wait what? You have...stage fright?", Gaz said in surprise.

"I hurt a lot of people...I've been such an evil person. My voice...it made everyone...hurt."

"Trust me...I know how this feels in a much larger scale. But...why would you say that?", Ikarisa soother her.

From the corner emerged a familiar figure, now looking to show it's true colors.

Riko menacingly approached. "Because it's the harsh truth isn't it? This bitch has motivated people so many times...encouraging them to fight sending them to their doom much like suicide bombers. And now she's gonna pay.", he pointed his gun at her.

"What the hell is all of this?! You're her friend aren't you?"

Gaz pulled out his gun. "Him?! Hell no, he's Kagh's son! The one to take over in his place! And from the looks of it he inherited the family trait of lying everyone to death!"

"Gazzy, ma man, how's it goin? You enjoying your dogs being put down out there? Things could've been a lot better if you just gave up and let my dad take over ya know, heheh. However I must thank you. Your story with Terna gave me an already made up excuse. Let alone this.", he tossed the picture of Terna he showed Lass on the floor.

"Drop. Your. Gun.", Gaz warned Riko.

"Make me big boy! You know my reflexes much like my dads...you pull that trigger and I pull back in and kill this precious lil shit here!", Riko fired a warning shot at Terna.

Terna wept and grabbed back her gun "N-no...don't kill them! I-I'll shoot!"

Riko laughed it off. "Oh my...holy shit, haha! You're actually fighting back aren't you? That's actually so adorable. But credits where credit's due, it's thanks to you and the goddess that we found Terna so fast and easily ever since you came here. Thank god for Kikaro's warning for it! You're the last thing standing between our total control...though I guess your friends here can be counted the same. So I'll instead kill all of you!"

"What?! My brother?!", Ikarisa jolted.

"You bastard.", Lass tightened his grip on his sword.

Yuno echoed from within Lass. "Pull Excelsior out right now! Focus him down!"

Mellistar cut in. "You think it'd be that simple, midget? One move, someone dies with this peasants gun reflexes."

"Alrighty I've had enough drop it.", Lass swiftly drew his sword in an instant.

"Woah, woah, woah! That's some quick reflexes ya got there! I was slower to pull the trigger!", Rikko laughed.

"Believe me. I had a hunch for it. To me you can't bring it down to tricking for the win, buddy.", Lass scoffed.

"Oh hell yea! The champion, the goddess, Terna and the Rebellions leader! Everyone in one go! Dad will be proud!"

Mellistar echoed in Lass's head. "Hah. With such assurance of victory, his final moments will be most delightful when he succumbs to defeat!.

The atmosphere stayed silent for awhile. Everyone just stood there, all motionless. And then.

"Alrighty that's enough, time to bang!", Riko shot at Ikarisa and Terna.

"Don't waste this chance!", Mellistar told Lass.

Lass then threw a flashbang he had at hand.

Ikarisa covered herself. "Kya!"

"For Delpha!", Gaz jumped up and shot at Riko.

"Goddess!", Yuno jumped in front of Ikarisa trying to slash the bullet.

"The dragon has the goddess. I'll take care of this.", Mellistar took over Lass's body.

Then there it was...the light that engulfed them all. The flashbang Lass had thrown lit the entire system up.

"My goddess! Are you ok?!"

Ikarisa gasped. "Yea! Yea..."

"Everyone...", Terna looked around.

"Hmph. Another one.", Mellistar cleaned his sword from Riko's blood and faded away.

"Wait, where's Gaz?!", Lass looked around.

They looked around spastically trying to locate Gaz. He was lying down on the floor, in front of Ikarisa and Yuno. bleeding badly. He had done what he deemed right...he had taken a bullet for his hopes and dreams. He had taken a bullet for those he had to protect. A few meters away was Riko's now dead body, both slashed, shot in the head. They all gazed at Gaz as they realized what was happening...and then.

"T-Terna..."

Terna approached him with tears. "Y-Yes Gazzy?"

"Do not blame yourself. You did nothing wrong...you shone for us whenever we needed you...you helped us when we needed your help the most. Now please...help us once more...", Gaz, through his bloody hands, handed Terna his badge.

"I-I can't do this...I'm...I'm just an idol...nothing more to it."

"You're not something you think you are...you are something you wanna be. Whatever they blamed you for it was all false. Your voice gave us hope...will...courage...determination to go forth. What we lacked in the most...you gracefully gave us. So please shine once not for us...but for yourself. Give us and yourself...something to hold on to. Once...again..."

Ikarisa whispered. "N-No...after Kaci and this battle...I'm so depleted. If I could only find Lili right now...dang it!"

With those words he let out his final breath. Riko, while an amazing liar was also an amazing gunslinger. He shot twice without any of them hearing or noticing anything. The atmosphere was beginning to become heavy, as everyone felt the pressure of everything collapsing on to one big pile.

"I-I...Gaz is...", Terna couldn't help but stare at the body.

"He is right. You shouldn't.", Lass snapped her out of it.

"H-Huh?"

"Your job is as is! You are supposed to cheer everyone up! Help them! You can't be down for long! No one blames and everyone needs you! You are as important to them as the world...so you have to show them what their world is made out of! Just like Lass!”

"Exactly. Gaz...he died what he believed in. He died because he believed in you. Not what you've made yourself to be or thought yourself to be. He believed in Terna. And you act this way if it's what you wish, a persona on the stage. However...to truly help those in need and honor his last wish. You have to be...you.", Lass said.

"And no matter what is to come after we go back, you can bet on us to assist you...all the way.", Yuno gave her a thumbs up.

"Of course we will. But we have to get going, with the shooting that the slashing, they must've heard us from above. By now we should be deep within enemy territory as well....", Lass checked around.

"B-But I...Gaz came here because of me...what if-"

"No matter! Listen...people will come and go. To stay back, anchored to them, will be just you being left behind! You have to remember than in times like these, scenarios like this are a given. You shouldn't dwell and cry or them rather than try to keep the fire of those who gave their life for it burning!", Yuno screamed.

"Huh...turns out you ain't like I initially thought.", Lass smirked.

Both Lass's and Ikarisas's eyes met each other, as even though they didn't say a word, they could somehow tell that's both the words they wished to say not to just each other...but to themselves. And they both lacked a simple layer of bravery to do so. Nevertheless, they achieved their goal, as the once mortified and scared young idol, finally found her footing again.

"He's right...you're all right! I can't live with these lies! Not anymore! The duty of an idol is to help everyone cheer up! No matter what happens I must and I will help! To save everyone...I'll live this fear of mine behind!"

Ikarisa whispered. "She's...just like me. Like I should be..."

"Hmm. Alright. What's our next move?", Yuno asked.

"First things first, it's Gaz.", Lass covered the body. "Rest assured comrade. Though we parted ways when we met, your wish shall live on.", he whispered and sighed. "How are we going to deliver the news?"

"Leave everything to me! I'll be your light in the frigid darkness! By the way...who are you, both? I mean...really?"

"Well, Lass has introduced himself so I might as well do it myself! My name is Ikarisa.", she sighed. "And yes...I'm the Goddess of Life. And this is Senpai's Hyrusa Guardian, Yuno!"

"W-What?! The goddess?!"

"Please...don't make a deal out of it...", Ikarisa sighed.

"Oh my gosh! So...normal? You're so cute for a goddess! I love your hair too!", Terna moved towards Ikarisa.

Ikarisa stood still as Terna messed with her hair. "O-Oh...she's quick to cheer up...", she blushed. "I hope Senpai doesn't mind", she whispered.

"Hmm. Good...she can indeed manage to move on.", Lass nodded.

"Foolish. Her smile and attitude only caught the spur of the moment. The real sorrow will come with her later...once she faces it head first and snaps out of her current denial.", Mellistar echoed.

"Tsk. Shut up. I'll take care of this. Starting now.", Lass brushed Mellistar's words off.

"Alright. Onwards! The performance is about to begin!", Terna pointed the way.

"Wait what are you going do?", Ikarisa fixed her hair.

"First I need this..."

Terna pulled out a hair pin out of her pocket. The pin was beautiful having a dazzling aura at it that mirrored almost every single color you could imagine. It didn't have a color of its own, it was as if it wanted you to see the color you wished for.

Ikarisa jolted. "That's...one of the relics! It gives unimaginable courage and will to go on as nothing else! But...Magi said that they where gone..."

"Oh you want it back then Risa?", Terna spread her arm.

"No, not really. If that's what helps you get over your fright of being in eyes of the public then...it's yours!"

"No, not anymore! I don't need anything to help me shine the way I do! Even with this...I'm still me! And I will do it no matter what!"

Ikarisa gazed at Terna. "Wow...could I possibly...be like her one day? For Lass too?", she whispered "No! You keep it...not as a handicap, but as a gift!"

Terna put the pin on her head. "Then let's go out there and shine altogether!"

With that she began to change. She got engulfed by light and as her clothes changed, she was standing in front of them with her hair all perfect running all down her back and a beautiful dress, fit perfectly for an idol

Lass and Yuno gazed at Terna. "Wow..."

"Can relics really do things like this?", Lass asked.

Ikarisa jealously cut in. "Nope! Just this one as it's one of my special relics fit made mostly utility...her own powers must be coming into play!", she then whispered. "Hnn! Does he really like fancy clothing after all? I need to change outfits again..."

Terna vigorously grabbed Lass and Ikarisa. "Let's go guys! We have to shine for everyone!"

With that they all started to head to back to the surface. They delivered the sad news...and they buried Gaz. But they couldn't grief for long...a decisive battle was at the horizon. As the day they where going to retake the city was about to break...